Church News and Events

Treasures of the Collection Open House Celebrates Early Church History

Contributed By By Lok Yi Chan, Church News and Events

22 March - 7 April 2012

Date

22 March - 7 April 2012

The spring Treasures of the Collection open house will showcase historical artifacts relating to early Latter-day Saint history, cultural events, and celebrations.

The Church History Library will hold its spring Treasures of the Collection public open house from Thursday, March 22, to Saturday, April 7, 2012, allowing the public to see artifacts relating to early Church history, culture, and celebrations.

This event will feature nearly 150 unique and rare historical items relating to early Latter-day Saint history and cultural events. It will showcase seldom-seen items from the library’s archives, including books, photographs, journals, manuscripts, minutes, and other artifacts.

April Williamsen, public programming coordinator for the Church History Library, said, “We hope to give [the open house’s guests] the opportunity to learn something about the great cultural heritage of the Church.”

This year the open house will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Hill Cumorah Pageant by exhibiting items related to the event, including a journal entry of a former missionary who participated in the pageant, several fliers, and photos.

The open house will also highlight Church festivals such as Days of ’47 celebrations, Gold and Green Balls, the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympic Games, the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games.

Historical artifacts such as Brigham Young’s journal, items from the Primary and Young Women’s organizations, and memorabilia showing the history of Church sports will be displayed as well.

Part of the open house will consist of a tribute to Salt Lake City photographer Charles R. Savage, who conceived, organized, and championed the annual Old Folks Day celebration, which honored individuals aged 70 or older with excursions, luncheons, and musical entertainments. The display will include commemorative badges, photographs, programs, and tickets to the luncheon.

Each display in the exhibit has been crafted to capture a vignette of Church culture. “I hope this open house will help visitors catch the spirit of heritage,” Sister Williamsen said. “I hope they will see how people and events have been honored and celebrated through the years.”

The open house is free and open to the public. For more information, call 801-240-2272 or visit the Treasures of the Collection webpage. Parking will be available at the City Creek Center, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and on the street.